Sad day.

[Fever]

Today is a sad day as I will have to put down my best friend Brody. Brody is a black lab of 10.5 years. He's been an excellent upland bird hunting dog and companion for myself and my family for the past decade. He rarely if ever barked, he never jumped up on kids (mine or their friends), he was for all practical purposes - been the perfect dog. Anyway, for the past two weeks or so he had difficulty holding down food. I tried a few different food brands, then mixed them with warm water, then went to plain white rice and chicken. Nothing really worked. I then went to canned/soft dog food and fed him smaller amounts more frequently. Some seemed to stay down but still - he was starving. He stopped drinking water so I used ice cubes... and eventually - I knew we needed answers. So, I took him in last Thursday. He weighted 62 lbs and for most of his life he hovered around the 80-85 lb range. He was wasting away. Found out he had a large (baseball size mass) in his stomach. This was preventing him from eating and holding down food. Our options then were to pursue an ultra sound and biopsy which would have been slightly over a grand. If the mass was a tumor we could operate and the cost of that would be around 1,200.00 - but then that operation has about a 50% success rate. A biopsy of that mass could also be lethal in and of itself as if the mass were blood / a biopsy could lead to unstoppable internal bleeding. Long story short - we are making the tough call here and are going to end his suffering today and put him to rest. He came into this world on June 11th 2014 and was the runt of the litter. He quickly grew to one of the larger dogs of his litter and became one of the best all around pets and hunters I've seen. I feel lucky to have had him. This world will miss him... it was a better world with Brody in it as he truly was one of the best.

Here's to you my friend Brody! You will forever be remembered and you will be missed. Thank you for being you!

[DLD24]

Sorry to hear man...We had to put our bird dog down when he was 15 and it was extremely hard..He had so much personality...

[CaptainMusky]

Sad day indeed! Sorry this has happened. :-( he had a long life and clearly lots of good memories with him.

[monstermoose78]

Sorry for your lose.

[Fever]

Brought him today at 1:45 pm. Spent a few min with him in a private room. IV was put in and I held his head and petted him slowly to help him to relax, after meds were injected he was peacefully gone within a minute or so. He went very quietly to sleep as I held him. It was absolutely crushing... but I know he's not suffering anymore which helps. I'll admit - that was the single toughest thing I've had to deal with since the death of my Father back in 1991. As far as dogs go - Brody my black lab, has been the best frickin dog I've ever met. Talk about unconditional love, loyalty, and devotion.... Brody will forever be in my heart as he has left a life long impression on me, my wife and our 3 kids.

[B-man715]

Bummer to hear Fever.

I hope you can always look back at the great times you had together, and I hope you are able to find a new buddy when the time feels right.

Take care.

[CigarGuy]

Man, had to wipe a tear or two or three from my eyes as read your story. So many of us have been through similar times in our life. Brings back memories.

[Early Riser]

Anyone who has had hunting dogs can relate to what you are going through.

The only time a good dog breaks your heart is when they die.

[Whopper Stopper]

We have had to go through this a couple of times and it doesn't get any easier. I feel for you and your family. Remember the good times and it sounds like Brody gave you many. He was as lucky having you as you were having him.

Take care!

WS

[LABS4ME]

Hold tight to the memories... He will always then be at your side!

Godspeed Brody!

[totally_addicted]

I also had to put my dog down last week. She was a 14 year old chocolate lab. She was my first, very own hunting dog. One of the toughest things to do, but she was completely blind, hard of hearing, and her back hips were becoming so weak that she would often fall over. It was as tough seeing her suffer as it was putting her down. The only relief I have now, is that I know she is no longer suffering, and spending her days chasing ducks and roosters in doggy heaven. One of the saddest, most difficult decisions I have ever had to make. My 5 year old yellow lab got a few extra treats and hugs last week to make up for the pain I was feeling. It's incredible the impact an animal can have on one's life.

[bottomdweller]

Sorry for the loss of your buddy

[Wanderer]

Brought him today at 1:45 pm. Spent a few min with him in a private room. IV was put in and I held his head and petted him slowly to help him to relax, after meds were injected he was peacefully gone within a minute or so. He went very quietly to sleep as I held him. It was absolutely crushing... but I know he's not suffering anymore which helps. I'll admit - that was the single toughest thing I've had to deal with since the death of my Father back in 1991. As far as dogs go - Brody my black lab, has been the best frickin dog I've ever met. Talk about unconditional love, loyalty, and devotion.... Brody will forever be in my heart as he has left a life long impression on me, my wife and our 3 kids.

It sounds as if we've been walking in the same shoes...

My girl Jesse had to be put to rest on 9-11 due to stomach cancer also. I haven't been that emotional since my father passed in 2005. 13.5 years of the best dog I could ask for.

I've never commented on another thread of losing one's hunting buddy in the forums before. I knew I'd face it one day but didn't want to think about saying good bye to the first dog I ever picked out of a new litter, nor did I feel I could understand the hurt.

I now know....

They're not hunting buddies - they're life buddies.

Strength and encouragement to you and Totally Addicted. I'm sure tears are still falling.

[BLACKJACK]

Remember the memories!! One of the toughest things in life is to put your buddy down. Just remember, you're doing it take the pain away from them, they've earned that dignity.

[tori's dad]

I am sorry for your loss- it is never easy to make that decision, but Brody is no longer hurting- you will see him again I promise- he is waiting for you at a later date.

[Living_The_Dream]

Sorry for your loss. I lost my black lab 3 yrs ago, best dog I have ever had. People don't realize how tough it is to loss our best hunting buddy. Just remember the good times that you had with him in the field and with the family.